Cows and cowboys: Rwanda's next big tourism magnet
Cows play a significant role in Rwandan culture. Now, with the help of his cattle, Alexis Ngabo Karegeya aims to turn his village, Bigogwe, into a thriving tourism destination.
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00:00 Can this young Rwandan succeed in turning his village into a tourism magnet with the help of his cows?
00:07 Cows are like siblings to me.
00:11 Alexis Ngabu Karagaya looks out over his hometown of Bigogwe with a sense of pride and loyalty.
00:18 At just 27 years old, Ngabu has already made a name for himself as a cowboy whose mission is to show the world what makes his beloved motherland so special.
00:29 I started this project of visiting Bigogwe because I wanted to show the world the real image and the beauty of my birthplace.
00:41 Bigogwe is one of the greenest and most magnificent places in Rwanda.
00:46 Located in the northwestern region, Bigogwe is surrounded by the farms of Kishwati, and it is the main gate to these green hills, a home to different breeds of cows.
00:58 To promote this place, I used the various social media platforms, primarily Twitter.
01:03 I would post different pictures of our daily lives, cows, our culture and tradition.
01:09 I started receiving inquiries from tourists wanting to visit.
01:13 Rwanda's tourism industry has been growing rapidly since the government decided to invest in it as a means of economic growth and development.
01:22 The Visit Rwanda campaign has helped to market the country as a must-visit destination.
01:28 Currently, Ngabu maintains a team of nine permanent members, along with other individuals who provide occasional support when needed.
01:38 However, this was not the case when he started out.
01:42 The group arrives at the farmlands after a journey of about half an hour.
01:48 The excitement builds up as Ngabu promises the group an unforgettable experience.
01:54 Ngabu's first activity for the tourists at the farm is milking the cows, during which he demonstrates and teaches them the proper technique.
02:06 This place is great. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to refresh.
02:16 Through determination and hard work, Ngabu's dream of transforming Bikogwe into a booming tourist destination is becoming a reality.
02:25 With every step he takes, Ngabu continues to pave the way towards a brighter future for Bikogwe.
02:31 And he continues to inspire his community to join him in making their village a place where visitors can experience true Rwanda.
02:40 Rwanda.
02:40 (cheering)
02:42 [laughing]